Universal electric plug



Feb. 13, 1934.

R. L. CHADWICK 1,947,331

UNIVERSAL ELECTRIC PLUG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1932 lfzasselll. (mid;

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1934. R c pw cK 1,947,331

UNIVERSAL ELECTRIC PLUG Filed March 1, 1932 2 Sheets-Shed" 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIZI MJZ'ZZL 6206105225,

INVENTOR Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

The Object of the invention is to provide a plug adapted for use in connection with electric irons or similar appliances where the latter are in continuous movement or subjected to frequent movement, so that a readily swingable connection between the plug and the extension cord may be provided that will positively prevent tangling of the cord with the consequent wear on the same; to provide a universal electric plug in which the current carrying members are continuous from the conductor cord to the appliance, so that there may be no sliding contacts relied upon for conductivity with the consequent 'liability to arcing and deterioration from this cause; to provide a plug of the kind indicated in which the parts are so constructed that they tend to assume fixed relative positions when freed from any strain that would result in the universal movement of the parts; to provide a plug which ensures a firm contact of high carrying capacity with the jacks with which it is c'onnect-' ed; and to provide a device of the kind indicated which is of simple form, susceptible of cheap manufacture for a structure carrying out the functions which it is designed to carry out,

and which consists of few parts readily assembled and disassembled, even by inexperienced users.

With this object in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings but to which embodiment'the invention is not to be restricted further than as a result of any limitations appearing in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a plug constructedin accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view.

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional view.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 4--4 of Figure 3.,

Figure 5 is an elevational view of one of theconductor strips. V

Figure 6 is a collective view, in elevation, of

v the complemental elements constituting the body Figure 10 is an elevational view of a modified form of jack engaging contact spring.

In order that the plug member 10 which connects with the iron or other appliance and the ring 11 through which the conducting cord is admitted may swing in right-angularly related planes to provide for a universal connection, the body member 12 has its complemental elements 12 and 12 so formed that the two ends of the body member, when the elements are assembled, are right-angularly related.

The assembled relation of the elements of the body member is maintained by means of bolts 14 which pass through spacer blocks 15, separating the body elements and yet providing for the rigid connection of the two and at the same time providing a space for the eye portion 16 of the plug as well as a space for the ring.

The plug is composed of the complemental elements 1i] and 10 secured together by means of a fastener bolt 17 and the elements are channeled for the reception of the jacks which may be springs of sinuous form as indicated at 18 or of the form indicated at 19 in Figure 10, in which latter form the material constituting the spring is bent back on itself and then bent into a series of hooks.

Both elements of the plug member are counterbored at the eye 16, as indicated at 20, and when the plug memberis assembled and disposed between the elements of the body member, the reduced portions 21 engage in the counterbores and thus the plug member is securely held to the body member but at the same time may swing around the latter with the spacer block as an axis of pivotal movement.

The ring 11, like the plug, is formed of complemental elements 11 and 11 counterbored as indicated at 22, these counterbores being engaged by the reduced portions 23 of the body member, so that the ring may be susceptible of angular or turning movement with respect to the body member. But by reason of the shape of the body member, the turning movements of the plug and ring are in right-angularly related planes.

The elements of the ring are formed with lateral extensions which together form the two halves of a peripheral extension 24 which is exteriorly threaded to receive the cap member 25. The extension 24 defines an opening for the passage of the conductor cord 26 and also a chamber for the binding posts 27. r

Connection between the jacks and the binding posts is effected by means of conducting strips 28 V which are formed intermediately in spirals 29, the

two spirals having their axes right-angularly related and being disposed respectively in the eye of the ring and in the eye of the plug where they are arranged in surrounding relation to the spacer blocks. By so forming the conductor strips, electrical continuity between the binding posts and the jacks is ensured and the swinging movements of the elements permit it without any sliding contacts, the spiral yielding to any change in position of either the plug or the ring with respect to the body portion.

A separator is disposed in the eye of the plug between the elements thereof and a similar separator 31 is disposed in the eye of the ring between its elements, the two separators having eyes for the passage of the spacer blocks and having beveled peripheral edges so that they may seat in grooves formed by chamfering the elements of the plug and ring where the two elements each contact in the assembled position of the parts.

The conductors of the cord 26 are connected one to each of the binding posts 27 and the cap 25 when attached, retains in place an insulating washer 32 formed with an eye for the passage of the conductors of the cord, the material punched to provide the eye being deflected downwardly to constitute guard ears 33 serving as insulating covers for the heads of the binding posts.

The cap member 25 also functions to retain in place the guard spring 34 to preclude any sharp bends in the conductor cord at the point where it enters the cap.

By means of the guard ears 33 on the washer 32, the binding posts 27 are precluded from loosening, by reason of the ears bearing on the posts. Thus, there is overcome the objection to possible loose connections. Also, the ears serve as insulators between the opposite posts, as well as insulators for the conductor wires connected to the posts, thus eliminating possibility of short circuiting where the wires are connected to parts of high potential difference. M

The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A universal plug comprising a body composed of two correspondingly-shaped parts of which the terminal portions are arranged in angularly spaced relation, spaced blocks disposed between said terminal portions, fasteners passing through the terminal portions of the body parts and securing the same together with the terminal portions in spaced relation, a plug member having a pivotal connection with the body at one end between the terminal portions thereof, a ring member having a :orrespo'nding mounting with the body at the other end between the terminal portions thereof, jacks mounted in the plug member, binding posts mounted in the ring member, and conductor strips connecting the jacks with the binding posts and extending through the body and formed with spirals encircling the spacer blocks.

2. A universal plug comprising a body composed of 'two correspondingly-shaped parts of which the terminal portions are arranged in angularly spaced relation, spacer blocks disposed between said terminal portions, fasteners passing through the terminal portions of the body parts and securing the same together with the terminal por- "tions in spaced relation, a plug member having a pivotal connection with the body at one end between the terminal portions thereof, a ring memher having a corresponding mounting with the body at theother end between the terminal portions thereof, jacks mounted in the plug member, binding posts mounted in the ring member, and

conductor strips connecting the jacks with the binding posts and extending through the body and formed with spirals encircling the spacer blocks, the conductor strips being formed integrally with the jacks and carrying the binding posts.

3. An electric plug comprising a body composed of two correspondingly-shaped parts having the terminal portions thereof arranged in angularly related planes, fastener bolts passing through the terminal portions to secure said body parts together, spacer blocks disposed between said terminal portions to maintain the latter in spaced relation, the fasteners passing through said spacer blocks, a plug member having a pivotal ccnnection with the body at one end between the terminal portions thereof, jacks mounted in the plug member, conductor strips formed in spirals around the spacer blocksand connected with the jacks, a ring member having a pivotal connection with the body at the other end between the terminal portions thereof, said conductor strips extending into the ring member and terminating in binding posts therein, the ring member being formed with a radial opening for the entrance of an electrical conductor and a peripheral extension in bounding relation to said opening, and a cap member threadingly engaged with said peripheral extension.

4. An electric plug comprising a body composed of two correspondingly-shaped parts having the terminal portions thereof arranged in angularly related planes, fastener bolts passing through the terminal portions to secure said body parts together, spacer blocks disposed between said terminal portions to maintain the latter in spaced relation, the fasteners passing through said spacer blocks, a plug member having a pivotalconnection with the body at one end between the terminal portions thereof, jacks mounted in the plug member, conductor strips formed in spirals around the spacer blocks and connected with the jacks, a ring member having a pivotal connection with the body at the other end between the terminal portions thereof, said conductor strips extending into the ring member and tera minating in binding posts therein, the ring member being formed with a radial opening for the entrance of an electrical conductor and a peripheral extension in bounding relation to said opening, and a cap member threadingly engaged with said peripheral extension, the ring member being split in a plane at right angles to its axis to provide dual elements of which each carries one of the binding posts and houses one of the spirals of one of the conducting strips, and an insulating disk interposed between the elements of said ring member.

5. An electric plug comprising a body composed of two correspondingly-shaped parts having the terminal portions thereof arranged in angularly related planes, fastener bolts passing through the terminal portions to secure said body parts together, spacer blocks disposed between said terminal portions to maintain the latter in spaced relation, the fasteners passing through said spacer blocks, a plug member having a pivotal connection with the body at one end between the terminal portions thereof, jacks mounted in the plug member, conductor strips formed in spirals around the spacer blocks and connected with the jacks, a -ring member having a pivotal connection with the body at the other end between the terminal portions thereof, said conductor strips extending into the ring member and terminating in binding posts therein, the ring member being formed with a radial opening for the entrance of an electrical conductor and a peripheral extension in bounding relation to said opening, and a, cap member threadingly engaged with said peripheral extension, the ring member being split in a plane at right angles to its axis to provide dual elements of which each carries one of the 

